Skincare trends come and go — often because they aren’t backed by science. However, red light therapy, also called photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, may be here to stay.
This noninvasive treatment uses near-infrared light to affect the body’s cells and systems. While red light therapy may have begun as a treatment for aging skin, experts are finding that low-level red light may also have other health benefits.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is red light therapy?
Photobiomodulation uses near-infrared light emitted by LED lights or low-energy lasers. The red light energy produces a series of biological responses at a cellular level.
Most red light therapy — especially home devices — uses LEDs that emit light on low-level wavelengths that make it appear red. It can also be administered using low-energy lasers or a combination of LEDs and lasers. Lasers are more likely to be used in professional settings than at home.
Red light therapy is available through many types of devices, including:
- Beds, which look like a tanning bed and expose the entire body
- Caps and helmets for your head
- Masks that fit over your face
- Panels that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a table
- Wands, handheld devices that you wave over the area of the body you want to treat
The type of red light device (and how often you should use it) depends on where the therapy takes place and what area of the body you’re treating.
How can red light therapy benefit your health?
Photobiomodulation is not a one-time treatment — you’ll need to use it consistently to see the best results. Researchers are still trying to determine how long and how often to use red light therapy for optimal results. They also don’t know the long-term effects.
Experts know that in the short term, photobiomodulation seems to have significant health benefits with few adverse effects.
Red light therapy may help to:
1. Reduce signs of aging
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several red light devices for home use in treating aging skin. Dermatologists also offer red light therapy, often combined with creams, microneedling or chemical peels.
Red light therapy can treat:
- Dark spots
- Discoloration
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loose skin
Researchers measured the effectiveness of a red light therapy mask after three months of use. They found an improvement in skin quality, including reversed visible signs of aging. The results lasted for up to a month after stopping therapy.
2. Encourage hair regrowth
The FDA has also cleared several at-home red light devices, including combs, caps and helmets, for hair regrowth. Near-infrared light may stimulate hair follicles to encourage hair growth and reduce hair loss.
Studies focused on hereditary and hormonal hair loss show that repeated red light treatments not only help regrow hair over time but can also increase hair thickness and length. One study suggests that low-level light therapy may be as effective as minoxidil, a medication commonly used to treat pattern hair loss.
3. Minimize acne
Light therapy is not a new treatment for acne. But red light therapy works differently than photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses blue light to activate the destruction of acne-causing bacteria and oil-producing glands. Red light therapy stimulates biological responses, promotes healing and reduces inflammation without causing cell destruction.
A small study of people with mild to severe acne found that a series of six treatments performed every two weeks resulted in:
- Significant decrease in the secretion of skin oil
- Significant improvements in acne lesions
- No adverse effects
For better results, consider using a combination of PDT and red light therapy. A large study found that people who used both red and blue light were more likely to completely resolve their acne.
4. Improve cognitive function
Headsets and helmets can transmit near-infrared light through the skull and nostrils, exposing the brain to red light therapy. Ongoing research shows the effects on cognition in people with dementia. Early research conducted on patients with dementia shows significant improvements in cognitive function after treatment with intranasal and transcranial red light therapy.
More recently, a 2021 study exposed participants to red light therapy for six minutes daily for eight weeks. At the end of the treatment, researchers also saw positive cognitive improvements — and no significant adverse effects — in people with mild to moderate dementia.
5. Ease chronic pain
Red light therapy may be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. A review of literature analyzed how well photobiomodulation works to reduce chronic and acute pain. The findings reported significant improvements in pain associated with:
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Non-specific low back pain
- Surgery
However, in many instances, the chronic pain returned within weeks of ending therapy.
Tips for safely using red light therapy
No research has suggested that red light can cause cancer — unlike ultraviolet (UV) light. Devices labeled “FDA cleared” pose a low risk to the public. But more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of photobiomodulation.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends taking the following steps before using red light therapy at home:
- Talk to a dermatologist: It’s always a good idea to consult a physician before starting a new therapy. People with darker skin tones should be especially cautious. Their skin may be more sensitive to red light, which could lead to hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
- Use a device intended for what you want to treat: Certain red light devices are more effective for specific areas of the body.
- Look for devices labeled “FDA-cleared”: “FDA approved” and “FDA certified” mean nothing for red light devices. Remember, the FDA evaluates the safety, not the effectiveness, of devices.
- Follow the directions: Each device’s directions should explain how long to use the light and how to protect your eyes (if you are using red light therapy near your face).
